Hey, it’s me again. Thought we’d talk about a couple of things in this blog: one: I’ll have a new novella out either by the end of the year or early 2024, and two: AI.
There is a lot of fear and wonder about AI and how it might affect all creative industries, especially writing. For example, since the launch of Chat GPT, Amazon has been flooded with AI-written ebooks: https://www.reuters.com/technology/chatgpt-launches-boom-ai-written-e-books-amazon-2023-02-21/
There is also some concern from film and television writers that studios could replace them with software: https://www.npr.org/2023/05/18/1176806824/striking-movie-and-tv-writers-worry-that-they-will-be-replaced-by-ai
I don’t know about all that, but I I thought I’d chime in on how I’m using it.
I recently finished my latest project (on my own).
But once I finished it, I loaded every chapter into Chat GPT. I had to load it in a chapter at a time, and it took forever, and once I had it all in, I timed out on my responses for the hour (it automatically generates a response when you load something in, even if you haven’t asked it a question). But after my hour-long penalty boxification, I was able to ask it some key questions. Like:
1) What genre does this fall in, and what are some comparable titles?
Do you know how hard this is?! So many people weighed in on Ghost Bully and Space Throne for weeks before I figured out what the comps were. However, after about 10 seconds of typing, I had this:
This story would likely fall into the Young Adult (YA) genre, specifically within the sub-genre of YA contemporary fantasy or magical realism due to the blend of real-world experiences (high school, friendships, first love) with elements of magic.
Comparable titles and authors could include:
1. "Every Day" by David Levithan: This book also involves elements of romance and magical realism. The protagonist wakes up each day in a different body and must navigate their life accordingly.
2. "The Rest of Us Just Live Here" by Patrick Ness: This novel combines the mundanity of high school life with the surreal and supernatural, much like the story of Geoff and Corinne.
3. "Eleanor & Park" by Rainbow Rowell: Although this novel doesn't have the magical elements, it does focus on two young outsiders who find solace and understanding in each other, much like Geoff's experience.
4. "Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda" by Becky Albertalli: This novel also explores high school dynamics, personal growth, and the trials of young love, but without the magical elements.
5. "Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children" by Ransom Riggs: This series combines the ordinary world with extraordinary elements and characters, much like Geoff's story.
6. "Fangirl" by Rainbow Rowell: This novel explores a protagonist with a passion (in this case, fan fiction), much like Geoff's interest in songwriting, and features a main character navigating the challenges of young adulthood.
That’s right, I’m writing a YA novella—deal with it.
Back-of-book blurbs are annoying to write, but they’re important. Really important. I realize that. Chat GPT is excellent at churning out marketing and ad copy. So naturally, I asked Chat GPT to craft something for me. It took a few queries to get into shape, and ultimately, I edited what was there to sound a little more like me, but here’s what we came up with:
New in town and navigating the complexities of Tabor High, Geoff Smith might be a little more comfortable with a guitar in his hands than with a conversation. His father, a professor and collector of magical oddities, is a local goth hero, but that doesn’t exactly boost Geoff's popularity. However, his dad’s latest find, a leather-bound book of spells, might be the key to winning a seemingly impossible bet with his crush, Corinne.
The bet? Pen a song that rhymes with the word "film.” The reward? A date with Corinne herself. The catch? Always read the fine print.
In a whirl of notes and lyrics, Geoff unknowingly strums a cursed tune. Suddenly, his low-key life hits a high note as the melody weaves its magical chaos throughout the school. The world becomes a stage, the students unknowing actors, and Geoff? He's the lead in this unruly production.
Caught in the spell's limelight, Geoff needs to face the music. With the stakes escalating, he has to navigate his confusing feelings for the enigmatic Corinne, dodge the ominous shadow of her brooding friend, Will, and find a way to break the spell before the final curtain call. Can Geoff turn the tables, win the girl, and restore harmony? Or will he learn the hard way that in magic, as in music, everything has its price?
Ok, so are you in, or what? This is a real sly way of letting you know I’m coming out with a new book. Whatever, I think Chat GPT is pretty cool. Shoot me a note to let me know how you’re using it, I’d love to know.